Reaction type traveling sprinkler



April 9, 1957 l. JEPSON REACTIONv TYPE TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed July zo, 194s 7 Sheets-Sheet l Hflfl lli April 9, 1957 JEPSON 2,788,241

REACTION TYPE TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed July so, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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REACTION TYPE TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed July 30. 1949 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 77 INg/ENTOR.

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United States Patent O REACTION `TYPE `TRi-/ELUQG `SPRNKLER lIv'ar Jepson, 'Gals Park, Ill., assigner to Sunbeam Corporation,`Chifcago, Ill., a corporation of Iliinois Application July 30, 1949, Serial No. `107,653

8 Claims. (Cl. 299-50) The present invention relates to sprinklers particularly `adapted for watering lawns, gardens, golf courses and the like, and more specifically to a self-propelling or traveling Asprinkler wherein the sprinkler physically moves over the area to be sprinkled thereby permitting a larger area to lbe covered than would otherwise be possible. In its broader aspects the present invention is applicable to sprinklers for all purposes.

In United States Letters Patent 2,335,28l-lepson, there is disclosed and claimed a sprinkler particularly adapted for sprinkling lawns which has been found to be unusually successful in providing uniform coverage over Such a sprinkler is provided with adjustable means whereby coverage may be obtained over an area varying from iive feet in diameter to Vfifty feet in diameter. However, when the particular area where the sprinkler is positioned has been watered sufciently it is necessary to move the sprinkler to a new area and repeat the process. This necessitates that someone be available to shut off the water supply and move the sprinkler at specied intervals of time. For small `lawns this is not necessarily an inconvenience,rbut where large areas are to be sprinkled it would be desirable if the sprinkler could be moved automatically and when the area is completely sprinkled, to shut itself olf automatically. Occasionally, forgetful people leave their sprinklers operating for hours while located in the same place thus often applying too much water. It would be desirable to stop the sprinkler automatically so this could not occur.

It is common practice for most people to sprinkle their lawns in the late afternoons, and in dry seasons when substantially everyone is sprinkling their lawns at this time, the available water pressure is reduced so that a much greater sprinkling period is necessary properly to sprinkle the lawn. If it were possible to water the lawns later in the evenings when everyone is asleep more satisfactory sprinkling would be accomplished. However, with most prior art arrangements that would necessitate someone remaining awake periodically to move the sprinkler to a new location so that complete coverage of the lawn is obtained. It would be desirable to provide a self-propelling sprinkler which would move itself over the desired area to `give complete coverage and automatically shut itself off when this has been accomplished, whereby no attention to the sprinkler is necessary and the occupant of the house can go to bed and still accomplish complete sprinkling of his lawn to the best advantage at times when the water pressure is high and other conditions for sprinkling are optimum.

There have been suggested heretofore numerous types of self-propelled or traveling sprinklers. Most of these sprinklers have been provided with some form of traction wheels driven in response to the operation of a rotary reaction type sprinkler head, which driving wheels make traction with the lawn surface in propelling the sprinkler carriage. Numerous difliculties have been encountered with this type of sprinkler due to the varia- 2,788,241 Patented Apr. 9., 1957 'tions in inovement depending upon the conditionrof the lawn surfaces with which traction is made and which, of course, vary widely in different locations. The lawn surfaces may range from heavy to light turf, and the soil may range from heavy clay to sandy. -Also Where drainage is not good, sprinkling may cause lthe :ground to become very soft with atendency to ,be muddy so that very poor traction is afforded for 'the lwheels Iof `the sprinkler. It would be desirable to provide a traveling sprinkler which will move 'across the lawn surface in the :saine manner regardless of the condition of this surface and independently o`f the kind of surface or condition thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to ,provide a new "and improved `'self-propelled lawn sprinkler. s

It is another object of the'present invention to provide a sprinkler which is automatically propelled over an extended area in a uniform manner dependent primarily upon the water pressure supplied thereto and independently of the condition of the surface over which the sprinkler is propelled.

IIt is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved traveling sprinkler 'comprising a self-propelled carriage which is automatically moved over a predetermined area regardless of whether such area is regular or irregular in shape.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a traveling sprinkler automaticallyl propelled over the area to be sprinkled and in which the area of coverage for any particular location of the sprinkler is selectively variable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved traveling sprinkler including a simple means for stopping the operation of the sprinkler after a predetermined area has been watered.

vIt is another object of the present invention to provide `a traveling sprinkler including means dependent upon traction with the hose or conduit supplying water to the sprinkler for propelling the same over the desired area, whereby the surface of the lawn merely supports the sprinkler but is not required to furnish traction lfor movement thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a traveling sprinkler comprising a minimum number of parts which are simple and economical to manufacture, which can be assembled in a minimum of time, which are readily accessible for inspection or replacement thereof and which sprinkler is sturdy and foolproof in operation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with. particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specication.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an automatic traveling sprinkler embodying the present invention and showing its association with a conventional hose for supplying water thereto;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view 4vof the sprinkler shown in Fig. l with the associated hose shown in cross section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the water control valve in the open position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 3 assuming that Fig. 3 shows a complete structure;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 3 again assuming that Fig. 3 shows a complete structure;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6 6 of Fig.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, of a selfpropelled sprinkler of the present invention illustrating a modification thereof with the water control valve shown in the open position;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 8 assuming that Fig. 8 shows a complete structure;

Figs. 10 and l1 are fragmentary sectional views illus trating a modification of the water control valve of Fig. 8 with the water control valve shown in the open and closed positions, respectively;

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing still another modification of the water control valve;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view somewhat similar to Fig. 3 of an automatic sprinkler embodying still another modification of the present invention; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 13 assuming that Fig. 13 shows a complete structure.

Referring now to Figs. l to 7 of the drawings, which illustrate what is at present believed to constitute a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a self-propelled sprinkler generally designated at which is connected to a source of water under pressure through a conduit such as a conventional hose generally designated at 21, the hose being provided with the usual end coupling 22 for making connection with the sprinkler 20. The drawings illustrate the present invention as embodied in sprinklers especially designed for sprinkling lawns, golf courses, and the like. It should be understood, however, that the invention is capable of application in other forms. The traveling sprinkler 20 of the present invention may comprise any suitable means for distributing water over a substantial area, which area may be fixed or variable. For example, the traveling sprinkler 20 may be provided with fixed nozzle arrangements for distributing water over an area of say fifty feet in diameter when water under a predetermined pressure is applied thereto. The water distributing means might even comprise a fixed nozzle member with a series of openings for uniformly distributing the water. Preferably, however, the water distributing means comprises a rotary reaction type of device whereby the mechanical energy produced in rotating a sprinkler head may also be employed for propelling the sprinkler over the area to be watered. As far as the present invention is concerned the rotary reaction type sprinkler may take any form whether adapted to watering a fixed area for a particular location of the unit or whether it be provided with means for adjusting the area covered for any given location thereof. Preferably, and as illustrated in the drawings, the means for distributing water over a predetermined area comprises the rotating sprinkler arrangement disclosed and claimed in the above mentioned Jepson patent, including adjustable means for adjusting the nozzles of the sprinkler to give varied areas of coverage in dependence upon the particular adjustment.

Describing first the rotary sprinkler element which is substantially identical with that disclosed and claimed in the above mentioned Jepson patent, the sprinkler 20 includes a movable carriage generally designated at 23 upon which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis a nozzle carrying head generally designated at 25. In the illustrated embodiment the head 25 is hollow and threaded onto the upper end of a hollow bearing stud 26 which is suitably journaled in means to be described hereinafter supported on the carriage 23. The hollow bearing stud 26 in addition to supporting the head 20 also delivers water under pressure into the hollow head 25 to which are attached a pair of tubular nozzle members 27 and 28. The tubular nozzle members 27 and 28 are designed so as to utilize the reaction forces of the water jet deliveries therefrom to cause rotation of the nozzles and head 25' about the vertical axis of the bearing stud Z6. As illustrated, the tubular nozzles 27 and 28 are disposed with their longitudinal axes arranged at an acute angle with the vertical axis of the sprinkler head 20 and furthermore inclined downwardly. These nozzles are each supported in a bearing bushing 29 disposed in diametrically opposed relationship in the head 25. Also each of the nozzles 27 and 28 is provided with a plurality of discharge orifices 30, 31, 32 and 33 spaced lengthwise thereof. The outer end of each tubular nozzle 27 and 28 is closed by a screw cap 34 which is removable for cleaning purposes.

To the inner end of each nozzle is fixed a gear segment 36. These gear segments mesh with a pinion 37 fixed to the lower end of a stud 38 which is mounted for rotative movement in a cover 39 which is threadedly engaged with cooperating threads defined in the open top end of the head 25. An indicator knob 4f) suitably fastened to the upper end of the stud 38 provides a manually operable means for imparting rotative movement to the stud 33 and pinion 37 and consequently imparts simultaneous rotative movement about their longitudinal axes to the nozzles 27 and 28. The top of the cover 39 and the knob 4f) are provided with annular dial surfaces 4l and 42 on one of which is provided suitable indicia in the form of a dial scale serving to show the different nozzle settings and on the other of which is provided a cooperating pointer or indicator. The dial scale may be calibrated directly in terms of the diameter of the area selected to be watered by the sprinkler for a given position thereof. The cover 39 and knob 40 are provided with cooperating portions 43 and 44, respectively, for limiting the extremes of relative movement therebetween.

The nozzles 27 and 28 may be selectively adjusted from the positions shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings where the sprinkler is set for covering a minimum area to positions where the orifices 30 to 33 cause jets of water tending to approach a vertical direction whereby the maximum area of coverage is obtained. Actually, the orifices can never cause jets to be directed in a vertical direction since it is necessary that they be displaced from a vertical sufficiently to supply the reaction torque for rotating the head 25. Relative movement between the cover 39 and the knob 40 is preferably limited so that these orifices produce jets never approaching closer than about 13 degrees from the vertical. As is fully disclosed in the above mentioned I epson patent, the orifices 30 to 33 are not all identical but tend to be smaller as the orifices approach the vertical axis of the bearing stud 26. The smaller jet openings serve to shorten the inner jet deliveries and to more finely distribute the water over the inner area.

Instead of supporting the hollow bearing stud 26 for rotation from a fixed base as in the case of the above mentioned Jepson patent, the present invention is concerned with an arrangement whereby the hollow bearing stud 26 is mounted on the movable carriage 23, movement of which is occasioned in response to rotation of the bearing stud 26. The carriage 23 of the traveling sprinkler 20 comprises a housing generally designated at 50 which is supported by three rollers or wheels 5i, 52 and 53 arranged somewhat in the form of a triangle with the rollers 51 Vand 52 disposed as a pair of drive rollers supporting the front of the carriage 23, while the roller 53 which serves as a guide roller is disposed at the rear. Mounted within the housing 50 is suitable reduction gear mechanism for converting relatively high speed rotary motion of the bearing stud 26 about its vertical axis to a low speed driving torque applied to the traction rollers 51 and 52, whereby forward movement of the carriage 23 in response to rotation of the head 25 occurs. Preferably the carriage 23 moves forwardly at a rate within the range of 25 to 50 feet per hour, depending upon the `setting of the knob 40 and also upon the pressure of the waterfsupplied to the sprinkler head.

The housing 50 is illustrated as being defined by a plurality of separate castings 50a, 5011 and 50c, respectively, each preferably formed of a light die casting alloy such as an aluminum alloy or the like. The casting 56a is the main casting and defines the major portion of the housing 50. It includes a Vforwardly directed portion disposed between the rollers 51 and S2, which defines the major `portion of a gear chamber 57 within which are disposed several gears mounted on horizontally disposed shafts. it also includes an upwardly directed cup-shaped portion which with the casting Stib defines a chamber 59 for receiving gearing mechanism mounted on vertica shafts. Suitable fastening means 58 (Fig. 4) relate the castings 50a and Silly. The casting Stia further includes a fairly long rearwardly extending portion dil, the rearmost end of which is supported by the guide roller as best shown in Figs. l and 7. As illustrated, the guide roller 53 comprises two flanged roller portions 55a and 53]] disposed on opposite sides of the extension oil of the casting 50a and `rotatably attached thereto by a suitable pin 62, passing through aligned apertures defined in roller portions 53a and 53h and the extension 60. rfhe fianges of the portions 53a and 53b define a hose receiving groove 64 therebetween within which is disposed the hose 2l. as clearly shown in the drawings. The roller 53 will therefore guide the forward movement of the carriage 23 in `dependence upon the particular position assumed by the hose 21.

To complete the gear chamber 57 defined in the housing 50, the casting Stic, best shown in Figs. l and of the drawings, is fastened to the casting Stia by suitable bolts or fastening means 67. This casting 50c is effectively a removable plate which affords ready access to the reduction gear mechanism contained within the chamber 57 when such access is necessary or desirable. Each of the castings Ella and 50c is provided adjacent the upper forward ends thereof with an upwardly extending proiection designated as 68 and 69 respectively. These projections are adapted to receive suitable shafts for rotatably supporting spreader rollers 7i) which are adapted to separate or spread apart the upper adjacent edges of the rollers S1 and 52 to cause the lower ends to move into sufficiently close engagement to frictionally receive therebetween the hose 2l asis best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings and is described in greater detail hereinafter.

For the purpose of supporting the forward portion of the housing 50 from the rollers 5l and 52 there is suitably journaled in the housing 5d more or less centrally of the chamber 57 defined therein a shaft 'i2 having rigidly fastened thereto a gear 73 which is disposed within the chamber 57. Suitable sealing means are provided so that grease or other lubricant located within the lubricating chamber 57 may not escape therefrom. The shaft 72 as is best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings extends outside the housing Sil to a substantial extent on either side thereof. In accordance with the present invention the rollers 51 and 52 provide a combined supporting means for supporting the sprinkler 20 from the lawn surface or otherl surface being sprinkled as well as traction means for gripping the hose 2i and driving t. e sprinkler forward by effectively pulling it along the hose. To this end each of the rollers 51 and 52 is formed of a sheet metal cylinder having a larger diameter at its inner end than at its outer end so as to be somewhat in the form of a hollow truncated cone. For increasing the strength of the sheet metal rollers 5l and `52 the outer ends are rolled into tubular form as designated at 76 while the inner ends are united with the associated one of a pair of circular plates 77 each having a peripheral flange 77a having a diameter equal to the outer diameters of the inner ends of the rollers 51 and 52. These plates are integrally fastened to the roller portions by having the fianges 77a lap over the associated roller ends as shown in Fig. 5 and the lapped joints spot `welded or otherwise fastened together.

To provide a somewhat concave hose or conduit gripping portions the plates 77 are deformed todefine a `raised annular ridge 73 on each with the projectingportion of the ridges on adjacent faces. These ridges 'are illustrated as havingthe high points thereof disposed at a diameter which may be several inches from the periphery of the plates thereby defining a concave hose gripping surface between the ridges 7% and the periphery of the plates i7 which conforms closely to the circumference of-a conventional garden hose as is clearly evident from an examination of Fig. 2 of the drawings. Preferably this concave surface on each plate 77 and consequently on the rollers Si and 52 is provided with radial ridges or corrugations 79 to increase the traction with a hose such `as 2i when disposed therebetween. It will be understood that the annular ridges 78 and radial ridges 79 may be.

formed by a simple stamping operation.

For the `purpose of relating the rollers S1 and 52 with the carriage 23 the plates 77 are each provided with a centrally disposed aperture 80 to which is fastened as by rivets 8l a relatively rigid plate cl2 having a rectangular opening S3 therein best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The ends of the shaft 72 extending outside the housing Sdextend through the openings 83. The

`plates S2 provide bearing plates for the inner ends of compression springs S4 which surround the shaft ends 72o of the shaft 72 disposed Within the rollers 51 and 52. Each of these springs is held under compression thereby tending to bias the rollers 5l and 52 towards each other by being stressed between the associated plate 82 and suitable plates suitably fastened to the extreme ends of shaft 72 by fastening means 86. In order that the plates S5 at the ends of the shaft 72 may have a minimum size the compression springs 84 which are illustrated as coiled springs are provided with their end turns of reduced diameter as is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The plates 85 abut split collars 36 contained in grooves defined in the shaft 72.

So that rotation of the shaft 72 will also cause rotation of the rollers 5l and 52, without interfering with the biasing action of the springs $4, the shaft 72 is provided on either side of the housing 5t? with a pair of sleeves 88 each having a rectangular configuration so as to be loosely disposed within the rectangular openings 83 defined within the plates 32. These sleeves are pinned to the shaft 72 as by pins 87.

With the above described construction it will be apparent that the compression springs 84 tend t0 bias the rollers Si and 52 toward each other and by virtue of the spreader rollers 7i? the portions of the rollers 51 and 52 in engagement with the ground are caused vto be moved together so as to firmly grasp the hose 21 therebetween. Furthermore as the rollers 5l and 52 rotate in a forward direction the portion of the rollers adjacent the ground always tend-s to be biased t-oward each other into hose gripping relationship. The entire traction force causing forward movement of the sprinkler is entirely applied to the hose 2li so that no question of traction with respect to the lawn is involved. However, the sprinkler is supported over a large area of the lawn surface by virtue of the relatively large area of the rollers 511 and 52 in engagement with the ground thereby insuring ample support without danger of causing any dam-age to the lawn as would be caused by spikes, or the like. it will be obvious that ample traction will be provided even though hose sizes may vary substantially as between the so-called plastic hose and large garden hoses. The provision of the: guide roll-er 53 insures that the sprinkler Ztl will follow the hose regardless of how the hose may be positioned on the lawn surface. By virtue of the sleeves S8 having the rectangular configuration conforming with the rectangular openings S3 in the plates 32, the rollers 5T. and 52 are positively rotated with the shaft 72 a-nd yet sufficient freedom of m-ovement is permitted to insure continual gripping of the hose.

g In order to support the vertical hollow bearing stud 26 for rotation from the carriage 23, the casting Stili is provided with an upwardly extending sleeve 89 which effectively denes a hollow upright for supporting therein a bearing bushing 90 within which the vertical bearing stud 26 is rotatably journaled. The casting 59a is provided with a portion 91 disposed intermediate the chamber 57 and the extension 60 which defines a vertically disposed tubular chamber 92 coextensive with the opening within the sleeve 89 and which also communicates with the chamber 59. The tubular chamber 92 at the junction with the chamber 59 is provided with a threaded portion for threaded engagement with a bearing bushing 93 having an annular flange 93a with notches 93h for engagement by a suitable tool in removing or inserting the bushing 93. The bearing stud 26 preferably extends through the chamber 59 and into the bushing 93. it is provided at an intermediate portion within the chamber' 59 with a section defining gear teeth 94 of considerable longitudnal extent so that a suitable gear may be driven therefrom even though relative movement in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the stud 26 occurred between the driving and driven members.

The bushing 93 guides the bearing stud 26 and maintains it in vertical alignment. The lower end` of this bushing 93 is counterbored as indicated at 95 to receive the enlarged lower end 26a of the bearing stud 26. When water under pressure is supplied to the tubular chamber 92 the enl-arged lower end 26a of the bearing stud seats again-st a combined packing and thrust Washer 96 to prevent water from escaping around the outside of the hollow bearing stud 26. The lower end of the counterbored bushing 93 is also provided with an annular valve seat 97 to be described in greater detail hereinafter. The bushing 93 may readily be inserted into position while the casting 50h is separated from the casting 59a.

In order to provide a suitable water supply connection supplying water to the tubular chamber 92 beneath the bueshing 93, the casting 50ct is also provided with an integral threaded tubular extension 91a which provides a water inlet opening to the chamber 92 which latter chamber is completely isolated from the chamber 57 for the reduction gear mechanism. A suitable conduit 9S is threaded into the extension 91a which conduit extends along the extension 60 of the casting 56a and between the anges of the guide roller 53. The end of the conduit 98 is provided with a conventional hose coupling 99 to permit ready connection of the sprinkler 20 with a source of water under pressure by means of a conventional garden hose or other conduit such as 21.

T convert high speed rotary motion of the vertically disposed bearing stud 26 to slow speed rotation of the horizontal shaft 72 there is journaled in the casting 50a a vertically disposed shaft 16@ rotatable in suitable sleeve bearings 101 mounted in a tubular chamber 102 interconnecting the chambers 57 and 59. Rigidly fastened to the upper end of the vertical shaft 1119 is a relatively large gear 1493 meshing with the gear teeth 94 on the hollow bearing stud 26 thereby causing a substantially lower speed rotation of the vertical shaft 199 in response to rotation of the bearing stud 26. The lower end of the vertical shaft 190 is provided with a worm gear 104 disposed in driving engagement with a gear 195 mounted on a horizontal shaft 106 journaled within the w-alls defining the chamber 57 as indicated at 107. The shaft 196 is furthermore provided with a small gear S meshed with the gear 73 on the shaft 72. With this arrangement clockwise rotation of the sprinkler head as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings will cause clockwise rotation of the bearing stud 26, counterclockwise rotation of the gear 103 and the shaft 100, clockwise rotation of the gear 195 as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings and rotation in the direction of the arrows of the gear 73 with the consequent forward Cil motion of the traveling sprinkler 20.. It will be apparent that a vast reduction in speed is accomplished as between the speed of rotation of the bearing stud 26 and the speed of rotation of the shaft 72. A substantial reduction occurs between the gear 193 and the gear teeth 94. A very substantial reduction further occurs between the worm gear 1M; and the gear 105, and a still further reduction occurs between the small gear 108 and the large gear 73.

It will be understood that the gear chamber 57 is preferably nlled with a suitable lubricant and this gear casing is completely isolated from the water chamber 92 in the housing 5@ so that no water can ever enter the gear chamber S7. In the event that any water should get into the chamber 59, which is not likely, this chamber is provided with a suitable opening 109 at the bottom thereof through which such water may escape thereby providing an arrangement in which no possibility of water entering the gear chamber 57 can occur.

With the arrangement described above it will be apparent that if water is supplied to the water chamber 92 and consequently to the lower end of the bearing stud 26, that rotation of the nozzle head 25 and the consequent sprinkling of an area surrounding the sprinkler will occur. Furthermore the sprinkler 20 will be propelled forwardly along the hose 21. Without more, however, it will be necessary manually to stop the forward movement of the sprinkler by shutting of the water supp-ly. In accordance with the present invention the sprinkler 20 is provided with an automatic shut off valve whereby even though water under pressure is supplied to the conduit 93 the sprinkler will automatically shut itself off at a. predetermined time. To this end there is provided a reciprocally movable valve member 110 having a sealing member 111 adapted to make sealing engagement with the valve seat 97 and thereby shut olf the ow of water to the lower end of the hollow bearing stud 26. As illustrated the valve member 110 is mounted upon the upper end of a reciprocallly movable rod member 112 slidable in a sleeve member 113 disposed in the lower end of the tubular chamber 92. The ro'd 112 is preferably provided with an annular recess to receive a sealing washer 114 to prevent the escape of water between the rod 112 and the sleeve 113. The valve member 110 is suitably fastened to the rod member 112 by fastening means 115. An annular chamber is delined between the sleeve 113 and the walls defining the chamber 92 to receive therein a fairly strong compression spring 116 which has its upper end bearing against a metallic platel 117 forming a backing plate for the valve member 110. Thus the compression spring 116 normally tends to bias the valve member 110 into sealing engagement with the valve seat 97.

For the purpose of holding the valve member 110 in an open position as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings when operation of the sprinkler is desired, there is provided a suitable latch mechanism comprising cooperating 'latching surfaces 120 and 121. The latching surface 121 is defined as an annular surface on a pin 122 xedly mounted to the lower end of the rod like member 112. The llatching surface 122 is `defined on a hook shaped end of a somewhat U-shaped latching member 123, pivotally mounted as by a pin 124 extending through the two side iianges 60a and 61th of the rearward extension 66. The end of the pivotally mounted latching member 123 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 123a to receive one end of a biasing spring 125 whose other end is retained by a boss 127 depending from the casting 5tlg. The spring 125 is effectively a compression spring urging the latching member 123 to its latching position. The llatching surface 121 is adjacent a conical shaped surface 121a to permit ready relatching by downward movement of the pin 122 as will be described hereinafter.

To close the valve there is provided a horizontally disposed trip rod 130 having one end connected to the latch- `avanzar ling member 123 and the other extending toward the formovement of the trip rod 130 to the right as viewed in Fig. `of the drawings, it will be apparent that the latching member 123 is moved to free the cooperating llatching surface 121 with the result `that the compression spring 116 moves the valve member 110 into sealing engagement with the valve seat 97 thereby terminating operation of the sprinkler. To operate the trip rod 130 at the desired time there is provided an obstruction member 135 shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings which is attached to the hose 21 at a position where it is desired to stop forward movement of the sprinkler 20. The sprinkler will trave-l along the hose 21 until the trip rod 130 engages the obstruction 135 whereupon the valve latch 123 is actuated to close the valve and shut off the water supply to the sprinkler head 25.

In accordance with the present invention a very simple I means for initiating operation of the sprinkler by opening the valve comprising the valve member 110 and the valve seat 97 is provided. As illustrated limited vertical movement of the bearing stud 26 is permitted due to the relatively long extent of the gear teeth 94 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bearing stud 26. Consequently when it is desired to initiate operation of the 4sprinkler the manual knob 40 is selectively adjusted and then the 'entire nozzle head 25 of the sprinkler 20 is pushed downward with the result that the lower end of the bearing stud 26 moves -downwardly causing the valve member 110 to also move downwardly against the bias of the spring 116. Upon suflicient downward movement of the valve member 110 the latching surface 121 will move into latching engagement with the surface 129, whereupon the valve is held in the open position until subsequently reclosed through actuation of the trip rod 130. From the above description it will be apparent that there has been provided a simple and compact mechanism wherein a traveling sprinkler is provided which is propelled along the hose 21 and derives its traction for forward motion entirely through gripping the hose. Due to the action of the compression springs 84 any size hose will readily be gripped and to initially insert the hose it is merely necessary to spread the rollers 51 and 52 against the compression of the springs S4. The simplest way of accomplishing this is to insert the hose adjacent the spreader rollers 70 thereby forcing it between the lower portions of the rollers as indicated in Fig. 2. It should be understood that instead of a hose a fixed `pipe or other conduit might supply water to the sprinkler 20.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the self propelling sprinkler 20 will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and no further discussion thereof is included herewith. To initiate operation of the sprinkler it is merely necessary to position the hose 21 on the surface to be sprinkled and Vin such a manner as to determine that path which it is desired for the sprinkler to follow in its movement over the lawn surface. The obstruction or stop member 135 is supplied to the hose at the point where it is desired to stop operation thereof and the free end of the hose having the coupling 22 is attached to the coupling 99 of the sprinkler 20. The sprinkler 20 is furthermore positioned so that the hose is` gripped between the rollers 51 and 52 as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings at a position along the hose remote from the obstruction 135 where it is desired to initiate the sprinkling operation. The knob 40 is adjusted to the desired selected area and the head 25 is depressed to latch the valve member 100 10 in the open position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Thereafter water under pressure may be applied to the hose 21 and the sprinkler will operate with the head 25 rotated at high speed and the carriage 23 propelled forwardly by traction with the hose 21 at a relatively low speed. The hose 21 connected to the sprinkler 20 is thereby pulled by the carriage 23 until the obstruction 13S is reached. It will be apparent that the sprinkler will normally have a small loop of hose disposed to its rear when the sprinkling operation is initiated and this loop will gradually increase in size as the carriage is propelled over the area to be watered. Upon engage- `ment of the trip plunger 130 with the obstruction 135' the'automatic cut off valve comprising the valve member is moved into sealing engagement with the valve seat 97 with the resultant stopping of the sprinkling operation including discontinuance of both rotation of the head 25 and forward movement of the carriage 23.

In the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings the opening and closing of the automatic control valve means for the sprinkler requires only relative movement between the gear teeth 34 and the gear 103 which is readily possible by virtue of the unusually great length of the gear teeth 94 in the direction of the longitudinal axis or" the bearing stud 26 with which these gear teeth are associated. lt would be possible, however, for the bearing stud 26 to extend directly into the gear chamber 57 with the worm gear 1nd attached to the lower end of the bearing stud 26. Such an arrangement is disclosed in Figs. 8 to l?. of the drawings where corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in the preceding figures.

The self-propelling sprinkler shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is designated generally by the reference numeral 14) and again comprises a housing 141 similar in many respects to the housing 5) which is supported on the traction rollers 51 and 52 and a guide roller 53 not shown. As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings the housing 141 comprises essentially two main castings generally designated as 141er and 1411; respectively which castings define a gear chamber 142 which contains the central portion of the shaft 72 and the gear 73 identical with those disclosed in the preceding drawings. These castings 141e and 14111 are assembled in sealing relationship by suitable fastening means M3 comprising stud bolts or the like so as to form a grease or lubricant retaining chamber 142 for the reduction gear mechanism to be described hereinafter. The. casting 141i) as is clearly shown in Fig. 9 is more or less of a closure plate to afford ready access to the apparatus contained within the chamber 142. The housing 141 is furthermore provided at its forward end with a pair of projections 141e having suitably supported therein rods 146 upon which are rotatably mounted the spreader rollers 7? which engage the peripheral surface of the plates 77 at the upper portions thereof so as to tend to bias the opposite sides of these rollers into hose gripping relationship in the identical manner described in connection with the rst disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

The casting 141e includes a tubular extension 14S adjacent the up er end thereof and more or less intermediate the gear chamber 142 to define a vertically extending tubular member including a portion 149 depending into the chamber 142. The upper end of the tubuiar extension 148 is threaded as indicated at 15G. The casting 152151 furthermore includes a tubular portion 151 which opens into the tubular extension 148 near the upper end thereof and which comprises a water supply conduit for the sprinkler 141i corresponding to the portion 91a in Fig. 3 of the drawings. it will be understood that a suitable conduit corresponding to the conduit 9S will be connected to the extension 151 to which the hose 21 may be coupled.

For the purpose of rotatably supporting the nozzle head 25 there is provided in the sprinkler 140 a vertical bearing stud 155 which actually functions as a combined bearing stud and automatic shut off valve as will become apparent from the following description. As illustrated the bearing stud 155 is journaled in a vertically disposed sleeve bearing 156 supported in a tubular sleevelike member 157 having a lower threaded portion threadedly engaged with the threads 150 defined in the extension 148 of the casing 141g. The lower end of the bearing stud 155 extends into a valve chamber 158 defined within the tubular extension 148. To provide a water passageway within the bearing stud 155 the upper portion thereof has a longitudinally extending passageway 159 therein. This passageway 159 is connected at its lower end which is at an intermediate point along the bearing stud with the water supply by transverse openings 16d defined in the walls of the bearing stud, which openings are in the vicinity of the water inlet chamber defined in the upper portion of the chamber 153. The portion of the bearing stud 155 beneath the openings 161i includes a pair of spaced circumferential grooves defined in the exterior surface thereof to provide a seat for annular sealing rings 161 and 162. The bearing stud 155 is adapted to be movable to a limited extent in the direction of its longitudinal axis in the same manner as the bearing stud 26 as discussed above and when moved upwardly as shown in Fig. 8 the sealing rings 161 and 162 are adatped to be moved into sealing engagement with the cooperating valve seat members 163 and 164; respectively defined in the members 157 and 145 thereby closing off the supply of water to the rotary reaction nozzle head 25. In the closed position the automatic valve will assume the position shown for the arrangement described in Fig. 1l, although Fig. ll embodies a modification of the valve structure. By virtue of the two sealing rings 161 and 162 and their cooperating valve seats 16.3 and 164 water under pressure is prevented, when the valve is closed, from going either upwardly toward the nozzle head 25 or downwardly into the gear chamber 142. In the open position of the valve shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings the sealing ring 161 is in sealing engagement with the valve seat 164 thereby to prevent water under pressure from entering the lower portion of the chamber 158 and consequently entering the gear -chamber 142.

In order drivingly to interconnect with a reduction gear mechanism the bearing stud 155 and the carriage drive shaft 72, the lower end of the bearing stud 155 is counterbored as indicated at 163 to receive as by a drive fit or the like a stub shaft 169 journaled in suitable sleeve bearings 17@ supported in the tubular extension 149 which sleeve bearings are coaxial with the sleeve bearing 156. The lower end of the shaft 169 is provided with a hardened end 16961 which rests on a ledge 172 which is vertically movable, as will become apparent from the following description, to provide vertical movement of the shaft 169 and the bearing stud 155 for the purpose of controlling the condition of the water control valve. The stub shaft 169 between the hardened end 169a and the sleeve bearings 170 is provided with a portion in the form of a worm gear 175 which meshes with a gear 176 disposed on a shaft 177 which is journaled as indicated at 178, in horizontally disposed bearings supported in the walls of the housing dening the chamber 142. For further gear reduction and to provide the proper direction of rotation of the driving gear 73 there is disposed within the chamber 142 another horizontally disposed shaft 135 journaled in bearings 181 supported in the walls defining the chamber 142. A small pinion or gear 183 fixed to the shaft 177 meshes with a large gear 184 on the shaft 181B. There is also ixed to the shaft 180 a small gear 185 which meshes with the gear 73 thereby providing a substantial gear reduction and also providing an arrangement in which clockwise rotation of the sprinkler head 25 as shown in Fig. 8 of the draw- 12 ings causes counterclockwise rotation and consequent forward driving movement of the gear 73.

To automatically close the water control valve of the sprinkler 140 in response to the carriage reaching the obstruction associated with the hose 21, there is provided a horizontally disposed trip rod 190 which is essentially completely disposed within the gear chamber 142 except for a short extension 190a which protrudes through an opening 191 defined in the forward end of the housing 141. Suitable lubricant retaining sealing means 192 are provided adjacent the opening 191 to prevent the escape of lubricant from the chamber 142 while permitting reciprocal movement of the plunger 190. The end 190a of the plunger is adapted to be engaged by the obstruction associated with the hose 21 such as the obstruction 135 described above. Since the plunger 190 is substantially on the same level as the shaft 72 the plunger is provided with a looped portion 190b to clear the shaft 72.

1n accordance with the present invention the ledge 172 supporting the lower end of the shaft 169 forms a part of the trip rod or plunger 190. This ledge 172 moves with the trip rod 1,91) in a direction transverse to the axis of the shaft 169 when the trip rod 190 is moved in a longitudinal direction to initiate the valve closing operation. As illustrated a suitable stop 173 limits the extent of movement of the trip rod 190. The end of the trip rod 190 remote from the extension 190:1 is provided with hooked shaped portion 190C for engaging a latch rod 193 extending into the chamber 142 from the inner wall of the casting 14111. The end 190C of the trip rod 190 is furthermore guided for limited vertical movement by a bifurcated guide member 194 supported within the gear chamber 142 and comprising a portion of the casting 1.41ct. A heavy tension spring 196 has its lower end connected to the end 190C of the trip rod 190 and its upper end connected to a pin 197 extending from the casting wall 141a within the chamber 142. The tension spring is sutiiciently strong so that when the trip rod 190 is moved free of the pin 193 the entire shaft 169 is moved upwardly causing limited rotation of the reduction gear mechanism within the chamber 142. The upward movement of the shaft 169 and the bearing stud 155 is limited by a flange 198 on the bearing stud 155 which engages with a shoulder 199 defined by a counterbore within the sleevelike member 157.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the sprinkler will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The movement to tne right of the trip rod as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawings when the end 191m engages the obstruction 135 will cause the hooked shaped portion 190e` to move free of the pin 193 with the result that the shaft 169 is moved upwardly under the bias of the tension spring 196 thereby causing the entire shaft 169 and bearing stud 155 to move upwardly with the consequent closing of the water valve defined by the sealing rings 161 and 162 and the cooperating annular valve seats 163 and 164 respectively. The sprinkler is restored to operating condition by merely pressing downwardly on the nozzle head 25 thereby biasing the tension spring 196 `and causing the latching end 190C of the rod 190 to move downwardly with the inclined surface 19M provided thereon moving along the pin 193 until latching engagement between the rod 190 and the pin 193 occurs.

In Figs. l0 and ll there is illustrated a slight modification of the tubular extension 148 of the casing 141a. As illustrated this extension incorporates the sleeve portion 157 of Fig. 8 as an integral part thereof. The upper end thereof is threaded as indicated at 2110 for receiving a suitable bearing bushing 201. In Figs. l0 and ll the annular valve seats 163 and 164 are shown as integral with the casting 141a. The corresponding parts of Figs. l0 and ll are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 10 shows the open position of 13 the valve whereas Fig. ll shows the closed position of the valve.

In the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 8, l0, and 1l the sealing rings 161 and 162 are mounted in annular recesses provided on the outside of the lower end of the bearing stud 155. It will be understood that these sealing rings might equally well be supported in recesses defined within thewalls of the tubular chamber 158 and such an arrangement isdisclosed in Fig. 12 of the drawings where the valve is shown in its closed position. The annular recesses 2fl3`and 2114 are' defined in the extension 14S defining the tubular chamber 15S, one recess being disposed above the junction with the passageway dened in the extension 151 and the other recess being disposed below this junction. The sealing rings 161 and 162 are disposed in the annular recesses 293 and 204 respectively. A cooperating valve member 205 is supported on the lower portion of the bearing stud 155 so that the upper end thereof makes sealing engagement with the sealing ring. 162 when the valve is in the open position shown inA Fig. 12 to prevent water from entering the gear chamber 142. `When the valve is in the closed position with the collar 198 engaging the bushing 201, the valve member 205 makes sealing engagement with both the sealing rings 161 and 162 thereby preventing liquid from entering either the gear chamber 142 or the opening 160 into the passageway 159 within the bearing stud 155.

Iny the arrangement described thus far a pair of driving rollers are provided, each of which is positively driven and both of which are biased toward each other to grip the hose portion therebetween and provide traction with the hose for propelling the sprinkler carriagein a forward direction. It will be understood however that only one of the rollers might be driven directly whereby its supporting shaft could be mounted in a fixed bearing with respect to the supporting carriage while the other roller could be freely rotatable, and biased toward the driven roller. Such an arrangement is disclosed in Figs. 1:3 and 14 of the drawings where the automatic sprinkler is generally designated by the reference numeral 210 and wherein the hose 21 is designated by the same reference numeral as in the preceding drawings as are also other corresponding parts of the sprinkler. As illustrated the sprinkler 210 Vcomprises a carriage including a housing 211 with which are associated a pair of rollers 212 and 213. As illustrated the housing 211 comprises a casting 211e, including a portion defining an enclosed reduction gear chamber 214. The casting 211 includes at its upper end a vertically disposed sleeve section 217 for supporting therein a sleeve bearing 218. The sleeve section 217 has an integrally connected tubular extension 219 which providesy a` water supply conduit to the sleeve section 217, and tol which is threadedly connected a conduit 22u for supplying water under pressure thereto. It will be understood that the conduit 220 may be provided with suitable base coupling means whereby a conventional garden hose may be connected thereto. The casting 211a includes integral supporting fins 221 for supporting the sleevefsection 217 thereabove.

Rotatably journaled within the sleeve bearing 218 is a vertically disposed bearingstud 225 which is essentially a solidfshaft member having a counterbore 226 defined therein as a passageway for fluid to the nozzle head 25 which is supported on bearing stud 225. The lower end ofthe passageway 226 is connected by a transverse passageway 227 to the entrance to the water supply passageway defined by the member 219. A suitable sealing washer or similar member 22S disposed within the lower end of the sleeve section 217 prevents the escape of water downwardly along the bearing stud 225, which stud extends into.the` reductio`nY gear chamber 216. An annular flange 229 on the bearing stud below the sleeve section 217 limits the maximum upward movement of the bearing stud 1225. A'sealing member 230 identical with the sealing member 228 is disposed immediately beneath the sleeve bearing 218 to prevent water from escaping upwardly around the bearing stud 225. These sealing members 228 and 23@ concentrically disposed with the bearing stud 22.5 are sealing engagement therewith and the sleeve section 217. A suitable compression spring 231 interposed between the sealing members 22d and 231) holds these members in sealing engagement with the stud 225 and the sleeve section 217.

An automatic valve arrangement for shutting off the supply of water to the nozzle head 25 is provided in a very simple manner with the arrangement described above, since upward movement of the bearing stud 225 moves the opening 227 leading to the passageway 226 above the sealing ring 23d thereby effectively stopping the flow of water to the nozzle head 25.

'ln accordance with the present invention the casting 211e of the housing 211 includes an integral tubular member 235 mounted at an angle with the vertical to support therein sleeve bearings 236 in which is journaled a main drive shaft 237 for the roller 212. As illustrated the roller 212 comprises a pair of sheet metal cup shaped members 21251 and 212b interfitted to form a sheet metal roller having a horizontally disposed ground ennaging surface portion 249 and a concave surface portion 241 providing the hose gripping surface. The roller 212 is rigidly attached to the portion of the shaft 237 extending from the casting 211:1. The other end of the shaft 237 extends into the gear chamber 216 and has fixed thereto a gear member 242. This gear member 2112 as is best shown in Fig. 13 is drivingly engaged with a worm 243 disposed on a horizontal shaft 244 journaled in suitable bearings such as 245 in the walls defining the chamber 216. Rigidly mounted to the shaft 244 is a gear 2&17 which is drivingly engaged with a worm 243 disposed on an eX- tension 249 ofthe bearing stud 225 which is positioned within the gear casing 216. A suitable sleeve bearing 250 for this extension 249 is supported in the upper wall defining the gear casing 242. lt will be apparent that the double worm and gear arrangement described will produce a very substantial gear reduction. It will furthermore be observed that clockwise rotation of the nozzle head 25 as viewed in Fig. 13 will cause clockwise rotation of the gear 247 and shaft 24d with the consequent clockwise rotation of the gear 242 as viewed in Fig. 13 of the drawings and forward driving rotation of the roller 212.

1n order to provide the necessary traction with the hose 21 the roller 213 is provided with cooperating sheet metal members 213e and 213i] identical with the corresponding members marked with the same subscript of the roller 212. This roller is also provided with a horizontal ground engaging surface 24d and a concave hose gripping surface 241 which latter surface may be provided with corrugations or the like to increase traction if necessary or desirable. The roller 213 is preferably attached to a bearing member 255 which is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 256 fixedly mounted as by a drive fit to a cup shaped member 257 pivotally mounted as indicated at 25S to the casting 211:1. The cup shaped member 257 is provided with an ear 259 to which is attached a tension spring 26d. The other end of the tension spring is attached to a suitable pin 261 prog'ecting from a depending portion 262 of the casting 211e. This tension spring 269 biases the roller 21? toward the roller 212 so as to tend to grip between the concave surfaces 241 a suitable hose or conduit such as 21.

ln order automatically to close the supply valve controlling the Water supply to the nozzle head 25, which as has been mentioned above resides in moving the opening 227 above the sealing washer 230, the extension 249 of the bearing stud 225 extends completely through the gear chamber 216 and has attached thereto a curp shaped latching member 27d including a notch defining a circumferential latching shoulder 271. This la'tching member 27d is guided in a tubular opening defined in an extension 272 of the Casting 211e, and a compression spring 274 disposed within the cup shaped latching member 270 normally imposes a bias tending to move the bearing stud 225 to its uppermost position with the flange 229 engaging the bottom of the sleeve 2l?.

For the purpose of holding the bearing stud 225 in the lowermost position indicated in the drawings there is provided a pivotally mounted latch 27e pivotally mounted as indicated at 277 to the extension 272. The end 276:1 of this latching member 276 extends into an opening 278 in a horizontally movable trip rod 280 which is reciproeatingly mounted in suitable guides defined in the extensions 262 and 272. A suitable spring 283 normally biases vthe trip rod 2S@ so as to hold the latch 276 in its latching position. The end 23th' of the trip rod 230 is adapted to be engaged by the obstruction member 135 when the self propelling sprinkler 2li) reaches the end of its travel with the result that the latch 276 is tripped out of engagement with the shoulder 271 whereupon the spring 274 moves the bearing stud 225 to its uppermost position effectively shutting off the supply of water to the rotatable sprinkler head 2S To reset the sprinkler for future operation it is merely necessary, as in the preceding embodiments, to depress the rotatable head 25 whereupon the control valve is effectivelyI opened and the latching member 276 engages the latching shoulder 271 to hold the compression spring 274 in the stressed condition.

As illustrated in Fig. 13 of the drawings the extension designated as 290 for supporting the guide roller 53 is not an integral part of the casting 21151 as in the preceding embodiments but comprises a separate member suitably fastened to the casting 211e by bolts or other fastening means 29l.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the sprinkler 210 will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. It again embodies the essential features of the present invention whereby a pair of friction rollers are provided with a concave hose gripping surface, the rollers being biased towards each other to grip the hose and provide the necessary traction for propelling the sprinkler without requiring any traction with the ground surface. At the same time the rollers engage the ground and support the carriage on a fairly large ground engaging surface. An automatic shut off valve is provided in each case which is closed when the sprinkler has completed its sprinkling operation and which is reopened by merely depressing the sprinkler head.

While there have been illustrated and described several embodiments of the present invention, it is not desired that the invention be limited to the constructions shown and described, for it will, of course, be obvious to those skilled in the art, that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and sco-pe of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A sprinkler of the rotary reaction type having nozzles revolving about a vertical axis comprising a support, a vertical bearing stud journalled in said support for rotatably supporting said nozzles, a pair of rotatable members associated with said support adapted to receive a water supply conduit therebetween, means for biasing said rotatable members to grip said conduit, means responsive to rotation of said nozzles for rotating said members to cause said sprinkler to propel itself along said conduit by traction with said conduit, a water control valve means associated with said support normally biased to the closed position, latch means for holding said valve in the open position, means responsive to downward movement of said bearing stud for opening said valve means and rendering said latch means effective, and means for closing said valve means in response to a predetermined movement of said sprinkler along said conduit.

2. A traveling sprinkler comprising a carriage, a rotatable sprinkler head on said carriage, a water supply conduit for supplying water under pressure to said rotatable head, means for propelling said sprinkler along said conduit comprising a pair of rotatable members for gripping said conduit therebetween, means for drivingly interconnecting said rotatable head and at least one of said rotatable members, said rotatable members supporting said carriage from the surface to be sprinkled, and means responsive to a downward movement of said sprinkler head for initiating the sprinkling operation of said sprinkler.

3. A hose supplied traveling sprinkler comprising a carriage having a gear housing mounted thereon, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis when water under pressure is supplied to said head through said hose, a horizontally disposed shaft journaled in said housing and having its ends extending outside said housing, a pair of rollers attached one to each end of said shaft and each having a ground engaging surface for supporting said carriage, said rollers each including a 4concave hose gripping portion on adjacent surfaces thereof for gripping said hose to propel said carriage along said hose in response to rotation of said rollers, and reduction gear means drivingly interconnecting said head and horizontally disposed shaft.

4. A hose supplied traveling sprinkler comprising a carriage having a gear housing mounted thereon, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis when water under pressure is supplied to said head through said hose, a horizontally disposed shaft journaled in said housing and having its ends extending outside said housing, a pair of main supporting rollers each including an end plate on adjacent ends thereof having an opening to receive therein the associated end of said shaft, each of said rollers having a ground engaging surface, a concave surface adjacent the periphery of each of said end plates to define a hose gripping portion for gripping said hose to propel said carriage along said hose in response to rotation of said rollers, spring means concentric with said shaft ends for biasing said rollers towards each other, spreader means for spreading apart the upper edges of said rollers to cause the lower edges to move in gripping engagement with a hose disposed within the concave surfaces, and reduction gear means drivingly interconnecting said head and horizontally disposed shaft.

S. A traveling sprinkler as set forth in claim 4 in which said concave hose gripping surface is roughened to increase traction with a hose gripped thereby.

6. A self propelled traveling sprinkler comprising a carriage, a rotatable bearing stud journaled in said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said stud and rotatable therewith when water under pressure is supplied to said head, valve means for controlling the flow of water t0 said head comprising a movable valve member movable to the open position in response to downward movement of said bearing stud, traction means for propelling said carriage in a forward direction, and gear means rotatable with said bearing stud drivingly connected to said traction means.

7. A self propelled traveling sprinkler comprising a carriage, a rotatable bearing stud journaled in said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis and mounted for limited movement in the vertical direction, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said stud and rotatable therewith when water under pressure is supplied to said head, valve means for controlling the flow of water to said head comprising a movable valve member movable to the open position in response to downward movement of said bearing stud, traction means for propelling said carriage in a forward direction, an elongated gear on said bearing stud, and reduction gear means drivingly interconnecting said elongated gear and said traction means, said elongated gear permitting vertical movement of said bearing stud without effecting the driving con` nection between said bearing stud and said traction means.

8. A self propelled traveling sprinkler comprising a carriage, a rotatable bearing stud journaled in said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said stud and rotatable therewith when water under pressure is supplied to said head, valve means for controlling the ow of water to' said head comprising a movable valve member supported on said stud and movable to the open position in response to downward movement of said bearing stud, latch means for holding said valve in the open position, spring means for biasing said valve to the closed position, trip means extending forwardly of said carriage for releasing said latch means, traction means for propelling said carriage in a forward direction, and gear means rotatable with said bearing stud and drivingly connected to said traction means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Carlson Oct. 11, 1892 Johnson Apr. 19, 1921 Jones Feb. 7, 1928 Nielsen July 25, 1933 Wilson Mar. 28, 1939 Covey Feb. 19, 1946 Salatin Feb. 6, 1951 Egly Aug` 7, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Y Great Britain Sept. 23, 1937 OTHER REFERENCES Life (Magazine) vol. 26 #24 pp. 12S-6, June 13, 1949. 

